I need serious advice, suggestions, experiences whatever. The 2 new boys we adopted are pooping in their crate continuosly at night. We have had them for 9 nights now and at least 4 of those nights they pooped in the crate and last night my son decided to let them sleep in his bed hoping that way they could jump down and use the potty pads (which they use sometimes during the day)... Well unfortunately, they jumped down and pooped all over the floor (1 of them even pooped on his bed)... When they are in the crate at night they do not scratch, whine or anything to let you know they have to go out which is why he thought he'd put them in bed. They have yet to poop in their crate during the day while we are at work so I'm not sure what the problem is. My son takes them out every night between 10:00 and 11:00 and they always pee. Anyone have any thoughts, my husband is not a happy camper (although I cleaned it all up).. LOL
Need Help ASAP!
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Jillian came to me when she was just over 5 months and she wasn't house broken. The hardest part was the pooping in the house and crate - we assume she spent a lot of time caged up and had to do her business in there. What I did, as difficult and sleepless as it was, was make sure as soon as she moved in her crate at all overnight, I would immediately jump up and bring her out - either stopping her as she was going and rushing her out to finish or hopefully catching her before she started to go - of course, when she did her business outside, lots and lots of praise was given. Because I was so paranoid about her doing her business in the crate, I would be wakened by the slightest sound. I also had her crate right at my bedroom door. It took a little while, but, she finally caught on.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Thanks so much. These boys are anywhere between 6 years old and 8 years old. It is said they came from a lady with 18 dogs that passed away. Who knows.. What do you think about a bigger crate with a potty pad in it? Right now they sleep together in a smaller crate (the one the rescue lady gave us)... We don't want to separate them because they have been together their whole lives. Any thoughts on that?
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I think if you put a potty pad in the crate you may inadvertently encourage them to go in the crate. The best thing is to catch them in the act and bring them outside. I did have to let out some firm "no's" if she was already going in her crate when I caught her in the act and immediately bring her outside. I think it's harder to train a dog that already has bad habits, but, be persistent and patient and I'm sure you'll overcome this.
Smkie's absolutely right. Feed them early, let them take a little quiet nap time - 20 minutes or so, then get them to play a bit to exercise, tire them out and stimulate their bowels, then take them outside for a little walk. When they go, make a HUGE deal out of it.
I'm going to guess that since this woman was elderly and had 18 dogs they probably weren't well housetrained. Unfortunately, you see that all too often in those situations. She probably did not wake up at night and wasn't able to deal with them adequately when they were pups and needed to be trained, so you're going to have to assume that you're going to have to do this essentially from square one.
I'm going to guess that since this woman was elderly and had 18 dogs they probably weren't well housetrained. Unfortunately, you see that all too often in those situations. She probably did not wake up at night and wasn't able to deal with them adequately when they were pups and needed to be trained, so you're going to have to assume that you're going to have to do this essentially from square one.
Smkie - we currently feed them @ 6:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. I really can't bump up their evening feeding because I don't get home from work until 5:15. They both are getting 1/3 cup Canidea each meal with 1/2 tsp of wet since they don't have but a few teeth. What I don't get is out of 9 nights they did manage to not make a mess 5 of those nights.
Part of this may also be adjusting to their new lives and it will become easier to get them completely housetrained as they become more at home.
I've been thinking, too, that if crating wasn't part of their lives for their first years that may be part of the problem. They could be stressed and somewhat panicked at being so circumscribed. You might have more success keeping them in a corralled area at night, with a bed on one end and their wee pad at the other.
I've been thinking, too, that if crating wasn't part of their lives for their first years that may be part of the problem. They could be stressed and somewhat panicked at being so circumscribed. You might have more success keeping them in a corralled area at night, with a bed on one end and their wee pad at the other.
Thanks Renee... someone else mentioned that as well. Although the rescue lady assured us they were crate trained. I just really want to do right by these old guys and Cocoa is finally learning to leave them alone. She won't even go after Houdini anymore and she'll still torment Myles but he just runs for help to daddy and he'll pick him up.. It's so funny.
[smiles] Sometimes rescue people will tell you just about anything to get those pups in a good home - not that I really blame them that much, but it would make it easier if you really knew.
It sounds like Myles has things figured out pretty well! Bet it really puts Cocoa's nose out of joint when HER daddy won't let her tease Myles, lol.
It sounds like Myles has things figured out pretty well! Bet it really puts Cocoa's nose out of joint when HER daddy won't let her tease Myles, lol.
Renee.. that is so true, Cocoa gets so mad when she chases Myles and he runs straight for dad and daddy picks him up. My husband who was so worried about them hurting Cocoa has now been telling Myles to stand up for himself (Myles is just so passive).. What I love is when Cocoa thinks she's going after Myles and Houdini turns around and she sees the face and is like "oh s**t", I just have to laugh.
It sounds like they aren't even pooping in there half the time. So, they are probably still adjusting. You will probably have to get up in the middle of the night to let them out.
And, as Renee said, they really need to have some exercise before bed to stimulate their bowels.
Keep in mind that crate training may not be for every dog. Especially if they have already learned to go in their crate.
And, as Renee said, they really need to have some exercise before bed to stimulate their bowels.
Keep in mind that crate training may not be for every dog. Especially if they have already learned to go in their crate.
Straight up - the only time I've ever used a crate for anything has been occasionally for transporting one of the cats that didn't particularly like the car. Crates do have their uses, and for some dogs they are the answer to some problems, but crating is a relatively new thing outside the show world, so don't feel obligated to use it. After all, it's just another tool - nothing sacrosanct about it at all. 
When Jim had a Mary's brother Garg, and I had Bronki...and garg hated Bronki..and Jim and I were living together I had the brainy idea that I would stick Bronki in the cage and at least that way he could still be in the same room..i was rotating dogs, giving each 2 hours and then switching. Bronki was in that crate for 5 minutes..he trembled so and looked so upset that I went back to rotating. Those two dogs didn't see the sight of the other for 7 months. It was hard.